Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers

Errol Thompson; Jacqueline Whalley; Raymond Lister; Beth Simon

Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers

Errol Thompson, Jacqueline Whalley, Raymond Lister, Beth Simon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

Abstract

When students are given code that is very similar in structure or purpose, how well do they actually recognise the similarities and differences? As part of the BRACElet project, a multi-institutional investigation into reading and comprehension skills of novice programmers, students were asked to classify four code segments that found the minimum or maximum in an array of numbers. This paper reports on the analysis of responses to this question and draws conclusions about the students’ ability to recognise the similarities and differences in example code. It then raises questions with respect to an approach to teaching that uses variations in code examples.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications
Subtitle of host publication	Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT
Editors	Samuel Mann, Noel Bridgeman
Publisher	National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications
Pages	291-298
ISBN (Print)	1176-8053
Publication status	Published - 2006

Cite this

Thompson, E., Whalley, J., Lister, R., & Simon, B. (2006). Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers. In S. Mann, & N. Bridgeman (Eds.), The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications: Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT (pp. 291-298). National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications.

Thompson, Errol ; Whalley, Jacqueline ; Lister, Raymond et al. / Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers. The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications: Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT. editor / Samuel Mann ; Noel Bridgeman. National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications, 2006. pp. 291-298

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title = "Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers",

abstract = "When students are given code that is very similar in structure or purpose, how well do they actually recognise the similarities and differences? As part of the BRACElet project, a multi-institutional investigation into reading and comprehension skills of novice programmers, students were asked to classify four code segments that found the minimum or maximum in an array of numbers. This paper reports on the analysis of responses to this question and draws conclusions about the students{\textquoteright} ability to recognise the similarities and differences in example code. It then raises questions with respect to an approach to teaching that uses variations in code examples.",

author = "Errol Thompson and Jacqueline Whalley and Raymond Lister and Beth Simon",

year = "2006",

language = "English",

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Thompson, E, Whalley, J, Lister, R & Simon, B 2006, Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers. in S Mann & N Bridgeman (eds), The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications: Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT. National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications, pp. 291-298.

Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers. / Thompson, Errol; Whalley, Jacqueline; Lister, Raymond et al.
The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications: Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT. ed. / Samuel Mann; Noel Bridgeman. National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications, 2006. p. 291-298.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

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AB - When students are given code that is very similar in structure or purpose, how well do they actually recognise the similarities and differences? As part of the BRACElet project, a multi-institutional investigation into reading and comprehension skills of novice programmers, students were asked to classify four code segments that found the minimum or maximum in an array of numbers. This paper reports on the analysis of responses to this question and draws conclusions about the students’ ability to recognise the similarities and differences in example code. It then raises questions with respect to an approach to teaching that uses variations in code examples.

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BT - The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications

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Thompson E, Whalley J, Lister R, Simon B. Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers. In Mann S, Bridgeman N, editors, The 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications: Preparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT. National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications. 2006. p. 291-298

Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers

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